Lego builds sales with new product launches

New product launches helped Lego's sales shoot up last year, outperforming the global toy market and cementing its position as one of the world's top toymakers.

The privately-held Danish company, known for its iconic interlocking bricks, said its top selling ranges were Lego City, Lego Duplo, Lego Technic and Lego Creator – which all posted double-digit growth.

Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, president and CEO of the Lego Group, said he expected the toymaker to continue to outperform the global market, which is forecast to post low single-digit annual growth this year.

"We remain ambitious and expect to continue to grow our market share. We will do so by expanding our global presence – but also through a continued focus on developing and innovating our product offering so that we remain relevant to children all over the world," he said in a statement Thursday.

The company – which is still owned by the Kirk Kristiansen family, who founded it 1932 - said in September that its share of the global toy market was approximately 8.8 percent, making it the world's second-biggest toymaker behind Mattel.